Three local clubs produced excellent performances in the finals of the North West Micro League in Blackpool on Saturday. In the B Final, Ormskirk held off a strong challenge from Leyland Barracudas to finish in second place. Everton SA dominated the A Final with eighteen 1st places to finish 20 points clear of second place Chorley. Southport won the Grand Final by just 9.5 points after coming from an early deficit in an enthralling contest that saw them overcome both Preston and Leyland.

In the delayed World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, switched to Balatonfured in Hungary, Tom Nelson of the Wirral Metro produced an excellent swim and was the first GB swimmers home in the 7.5km event finishing in a time of 1hr.33min.45sec. In the female 5km race, Southport’s Holly Hibbott, likewise, was the first British swimmer when she recorded a time of 1hr.1min.37sec.

At Coniston, Val Smith of the City of Liverpool completed the 5.25 miles in a time of four hours despite a bout of cramp part way through, whilst in the wetsuit event, 74 year old Joe Kerrigan finished in a time of 3 hours 4 minutes.

It was a Red Letter day for the swimmers of Birkenhead Swimming Club after the club won a national competition from the ASA and received an evenings’ masterclass from double world champion and Olympic silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne and her husband David Carry, a double Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic finalist.

The event at Leasowe Recreation Centre was highlighted by personal demonstrations from Keri-Anne of stroke, turn and diving technique, with the “demonstration start” providing inspiration and the chance for the young swimmers to take the plunge with their idols. 50 members from all squads attended, including those now training at the local high level club, Wirral Metro.